The Costa del Sol Glows: Inside the 2026 WPC Series Malaga Open
From February 25 to 27, 2026, the pickleball world turned its eyes to Spain for the highly anticipated WPC Series Malaga Open. Held at the spectacular Martín Carpena Arena, athletes and fans quickly discovered exactly what organisers meant by their tournament slogan: “touching the Costa del Sol sky has this special glow”. With free public admission drawing energetic, cheering crowds, the three-day event solidified its reputation as a benchmark for European pickleball.
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A World-Class Venue and a Hometown Legend
A premier tournament requires top-tier facilities, and the Malaga Open delivered thanks to the management and professionalism of Malaga Deporte y Eventos. Players from around the globe enjoyed unbeatable conditions in the sporting heart of the city.
The Martín Carpena Arena shone even brighter during the tournament when local sports legend Carolina Navarro made a special birthday appearance. Navarro, a hometown hero who continually carries Malaga’s name to the top of the sports world, thrilled fans by stepping onto the courts to deliver a masterclass in talent.
European Dominance and Triple-Gold Superstars
The tournament featured a remarkably strong European presence across all divisions, but two players stood head and shoulders above the rest: Pialena Ander and Marcello Paiva Jardim.
Ander put on a historic performance, sweeping the 50+ 5.0 divisions to win multiple gold medals in Women’s Doubles, Women’s Singles, and Mixed Doubles. Jardim matched this elite level of play, taking home gold in the Men’s Singles event and securing two additional medals in doubles play. Silvio Martin Suarez also had a standout tournament, bringing home two medals of his own.
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Day-by-Day Championship Highlights
The competition was fierce from the very first serve, with players putting their hearts into every point to write their own stories in the WPC Series.
Day 1 (February 25): The opening day set an intense tone for the week. Silvio Martin Suarez and Marcello Paiva Jardim captured the gold in Men’s Doubles 50+ 5.0, defeating Andrea Della Vedova and Federico Balli. On the women’s side, Pialena Ander and Pernilla Ohlin took first place in Women’s Doubles 50+ 5.0.
Day 2 (February 26): Singles action took center stage. Jardim continued his golden run by winning the Men’s Singles 50+ 5.0 division, besting Gabriel Satrustegui Escudero. Ander mirrored his success, securing the Women’s Singles 50+ 5.0 gold over Paola Tampieri.
Day 3 (February 27): The final day pushed the arena’s excitement to an astronomical level. The Mixed 19+ 5.0 Final was hailed as an out-of-this-world show of strategy and grit. Joshua Bright and Karolina Owczarek delivered a masterclass performance to claim the gold over Jesus Garcia Garre and Sabrina Mendez. In the Mixed 35+ 5.0 division, Christian Singer and Melanie Schumann secured the top spot. Finally, the tournament’s two most dominant players, Ander and Jardim, teamed up to win the Mixed 50+ 5.0 division, perfectly capping off a magnificent weekend of pickleball.
With its combination of an imposing stage, flawless execution, and top-tier international talent, the 2026 Malaga Open proves that the sport’s future in Europe is shining brighter than ever.
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Chris Beaumont
Founder and Editor-in-ChiefChris Beaumont is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of World Pickleball Magazine. Chris follows the global game closely, reporting on the latest news, developments, stories and tournaments from all five continents. He also hosts the World Pickleball Podcast, interviewing people at…
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